19 March 2007

One of the "experiences" sampled during time in the yard is the replacement of the ship's screws. Here, IKE's have just been remounted prior to her being refloated and moved out of drydock (yes, YHS is in the pic). Prior to flooding the drydock, the hull board walks the length and breadth of the visible hull, looking for obstructions in openings and anything else that is out of order. Some of us had specific duties -- among mine as Navigator was checking the opening for the ship's pitlog which happened to be on the centerline, amidships. Now mind you, a Nimitz-class carrier viewed pierside is indeed an awesome sight. However, when viewed from the perspective presented by being dead center, under the hull, well, it is humbling to say the least...

Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty we were free at last. Sort Of (another 3 months in the yards still to go at this point).

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Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have.

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About Me

Ok, here are the vitals:
* Born in NC, raised a Nebraskan and now a Virginian by dint of marriage, taxes and tution(s) paid/paying (and you thought it was just death and taxes that were universal constants...)
*Blessed with marriage to the same wonderful (and exceptionally tolerant)woman for 24 years w/three great kids (see tuition ref above)
*Graduated from The Citadel, Naval Postgrad School and Naval War College
* Retired as an O-6 after serving twenty-six years in the finest Navy in the world: * Naval Flight Officer & Squadron CO (E-2C Hawkeye - 3500+ hours and 551 traps)
* CVN navigator
* Multiple Joint penance duties in DC and and elsewhere (slow learner)
* Now flying a desk but doing what I can to still help (БУДЕТ наукой ракеты!)